Shots fired, a car chase, a search, an arrest

Friday

Feb 8, 2013 at 11:29 AMFeb 8, 2013 at 11:30 AM

STOCKTON – Sheriff’s deputies responded shortly after 3 a.m. Thursday to numerous reports of shots fired in the first block of North Anthony Avenue in east Stockton. They were told to be on the lookout for a brown minivan occupied by two men.

The Record

STOCKTON – Sheriff’s deputies responded shortly after 3 a.m. Thursday to numerous reports of shots fired in the first block of North Anthony Avenue in east Stockton. They were told to be on the lookout for a brown minivan occupied by two men.

As a patrol car approached the corner of North Cardinal and East Elvin avenues, a citizen flagged down the deputies and reported the brown minivan was last seen heading westbound on East Elvin. As the patrol car approached the van, the driver began taking evasive action, speeding up to 60 miles per hour on residential streets, running stop signs and driving recklessly, the Sheriff’s Office reported.

While making a left turn onto South Adelbert Avenue from East Washington Street, the van driver lost control and collided with a fence in the 4100 block of East Washington. The driver got out and fled, eluding deputies for about seven minutes until he was discovered hiding in the yard of a home.

Deputies arrested Juan Jose Soto, 39, and booked him into San Joaquin County Jail on suspicion of damaging private property, resisting arrest and reckless driving.